Britain's Coolest Comic Convention

Monthly Archives: August 2017

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that ICE has teamed up with Diamond Comics Distribution UK to bring fans the exclusive Marvel Venomverse #1 variant cover by superstar artist John Tyler Christopher, who will be exclusively signing copies only at ICE on the 9th September before the book is officially released the following Wednesday.

John Tyler Christopher

This will therefore be an opportunity for those attending the show to get their hands on a signed copy of this hot new variant before everyone else and the way these covers often sell out it might be the ONLY chance to pick one up as these are a Diamond UK exclusive limited to only 3000 worldwide.

ICE will be John Tyler Christopher’s first ever visit to the UK and his only visit for at least another decade so it’s a rare chance for UK fans to meet the acclaimed artist without paying huge air fare to the states and their only chance to get this book signed an personalised in the UK.

Eager fans wanting to secure themselves a copy of this limited edition exclusive variant can pre order their copy for collection and signing at the event by visiting the show website at: www.thecomicsshow.co.uk

Diamond are also selling the book at the show and offering another free JTC Action Figure Cover variant cover with each copy purchased, but only while stocks last so make sure you go straight to their table if you want to get your copy on the day.

What comic convention in Birmingham would be complete without the presence of John McCrea? Certainly not this one… and we are proud to welcome John back to Britian’s Coolest Comic Convention this year.

A true local comics hero, the award winning artist, originally from Northern Ireland, is a respected illustrator and comic book artist which has seen him draw for many of the major Western publishers including the big two: Marvel and DC Comics.

His unique and bold sense of design and storytelling are always in demand with publishers and fans on both sides of the Atlantic.

In MAY 2015 he started work on the superb Mythos ongoing series working with writer Phil Hester and this year he completed a superb Deviations one shot which took Judge Dredd in a new direction with IDW.

He is currently working on a new ongoing series at Image Comics.

John also teaches in schools and colleges and he works with charitable organisations and local authorities producing comics spotlighting issues such as children’s rights, drug abuse, homelessness, safe sex and proper foot care!

We just could not resist using this image from John’s Mars Attacks series working with John Layman.

Be sure to visit John’s table at the show were he’ll be signing, doing sketches, taking commissions and selling prints and original artwork.

We are thrilled to announce that Jessica Martin’s latest book, ‘A Star Is Drawn’, will be launching exclusively at ICE 2017!

A collection of Jessica’s distinctive portraits and sketches, featuring some of the brightest stars in entertainment from the last 100 years, put together for the first time in one volume.

As well as some never-before-seen artwork, this special limited Christmas edition for 2017 includes several bonus festive pieces.

Join Jessica on a journey through her influences and inspirations, from Bette Davis to Bowie, and experience the ArtyMiss collection as you’ve never seen it before.

Jessica Martin has spent over thirty years in entertainment, performing in theatre, comedy, television and radio. She is now a critically acclaimed comic creator and artist, and glad to be at ICE 2017!

As well as ’A Star Is Drawn’, you’ll be able to pick up her previous works (including comics ‘It Girl’ and ‘Vivacity’, and graphic novel ‘Elsie Harris Picture Palace’), and get a first look at some of the art for her upcoming memoir ‘Life Drawing – a life under lights’, which has recently achieved 100% crowdfunding and will be published next year with Unbound.

Find out more about Jessica and ArtyMiss on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (search ‘ArtyMissPublishing’), or visit www.artymisspublishing.com

We are a re very happy to welcome local rising star artist Ian Richardson as our latest guest for ICE 2017.

Ian is a comic book penciller, inker and cover artist best known for his work across several publishers, working on titles from 2000AD, Image Comics, Marvel UK/Panini, Darkhorse Comics & Zenescope Entertainment among others.

Like many UK artists, Ian’s first professional comics work started at 2000AD working on various Future Shocks, Sinister Dexter & Judge Dredd stories before moving onto Image Comics & the Nobles Causes series for a couple of years. With various stops along the way that have included initial work on the graphic novel for the Harrison Ford & Daniel Craig Cowboys & Aliens movie, some children friendly work on Captain America, the Falcon & Iron Man stories for Marvel UK/Panini, all the way through to work on the Halo comic books at Dark Horse Comics.

His work on Marvel UK’s Death Wreck series in 1994 led to him getting work from Marvel US on titles such as Thor (1994), Force Works (1995) and Spider-Man: Funeral for an Octopus (1995).

He then began a long period where he worked exclusively for Marvel’s competitor DC Comics, initially on a six-issue storyline in Detective Comics #689-694 (September 1995- February 1996) which led to stints as regular penciller of Robin (1996–1999) and Catwoman (2000–2001). His most recent work for DC was the inter-company crossover Batman/Aliens IIlimited series in 2003.

Walking Dead is not only one of the world’s most independent comic series, but also a record breaking TV series and here at ICE Central we are delighted to announce that the multi award winning artist on the series Charlie Adlard will be joining us as our very special guest in September.

Charlie at the Lakes where he was awarded the post of Comics Laureate

Currently the British Comics Laureate, with an incredible career working for most of the major comics publishers under his belt as well as an astounding uninterrupted run on the infamous zombie monthly Charlie is not only one of the most talented artists in the industry, but without a doubt, one of the most hard working and dedicated.

From the superb Codeflesh published by Image Comics

As well as being a great artist he is also the Drummer in the band Cosmic Rays and Charlie will have the very last few copies of the album with in at the expo so as well as getting your Walking Dead books and merchandise signed you can also pick up a signed album, which features 12 original songs and superb artwork from both Charlie and fellow comic artist Phil Winslade, who plays guitar on the album.

The Inside Gate-fold artwork on the Cosmic Rays debut album by Charlie